Loovens admits momentum shift

Celtic defender Glenn Loovens admits his blunder against Motherwell at Fir Park yesterday handed Rangers the advantage in the race for the Clydesdale Bank Premier League title.

The champions looked like they would regain their place at the top of the table from the Light Blues after Scott McDonald shot them into a second-half lead.

However, eight minutes from time the Dutchman conceded a needless free-kick when he barged into Well striker David Clarkson near the left touchline.

The former Cardiff defender then failed to deal with Jim O’Brien’s cross into the box, allowing defender Paul Quinn to drive in a dramatic equaliser.

However, while admitting his part in Motherwell’s goal, Loovens pointed to yet another afternoon of missed chances from the Parkhead side, which left them with only one win in their last six SPL games and behind Rangers on goal difference.

He said: “If you saw the game, we had plenty of chances to kill it off and they had one shot at goal and it went in.

“I’m disappointed, the free-kick was a stupid one to give away.

“But I just had to deal with it. It was just a free-kick and we weren’t quite organised because they took it quickly to the side. We weren’t ready for it.

“That’s a thing we can have a look at but, apart from that, we clearly dominated the game.

“Of course we are concerned. We know we have dropped a lot of points.

“We are still well in the race for the title but we have to improve.

“We created many chances, so I am sure we will turn things around next time.

“But we have to make sure we go on a great run again and we have to start taking our chances.”